Pennsylvania Battles Spotted Lanternfly Infestation with Quarantines and Student-led ‘Squish Squads’

By

PA Gov. Tom Wolf squishes spotted lanternfly
Image via Gov. Tom Wolf at Creative Commons.
Even PA Gov. Tom Wolf did his part, squishing a spotted lanternfly.

Despite quarantines and “squish squads,” the spotted lanternfly continues to spread across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond, write Kevin Ambrose and Kasha Patel for The Washington Post.

This invasive pest that devastate vineyards and ruin fruit crops was accidentally imported into Berks County seven years ago, presumably in a shipping container from Asia. Since then, it has spread first through eastern Pennsylvania and from there to New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey.

Quarantines are in place to stop — or at least slow — its spread into new areas. Residents in quarantined counties, including Philadelphia’s collar counties, are urged to inspect their vehicles and any goods they transport, to ensure the insects and their eggs are not along for a ride.

“If females lay eggs on a substrate that eventually moves (e.g., automobiles or goods), then they quickly spread that way,” said Josephine Antwi, a professor of biology at the University of Mary Washington.

Residents who notice the insect or their eggs are encouraged to squash them. Following this advice, a group of Pennsylvania students recently formed “squish squads” to stomp out the pest.

Read more about spotted lanternflies in The Washington Post.

Connect With Your Community

Subscribe for stories that matter!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
BT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement